Gallery

Best & worst dressed celebrities of the week

In this week's red carpet roundup, Jennifer Garner mixes it up, Naomie Harris makes clashing work, and Stella McCartney makes a mistake. By Emma Day.

THE GOOD: Proving that less is most definitely more, Shanina Shaik looks all kinds of goddess-like in this simple but chic lavender-grey gown. The flowy, caped back and nipped-in waist are a glorious nod to 1950s screen siren style, while the modern double straps add a bit of extra interest. Especially when paired with no-makeup makeup and a balletic bun, this looks like something Natalie Portman would wear to the Oscars - and that’s an absolute compliment. I would change nothing here. Photo: Getty
THE GOOD: The ever-delightful Jennifer Garner often plumps for pretty but plain gowns - elegant yet ultimately bordering on forgettable. However this Versace is a bit of a new direction for her and I. Love. It. It’s still not out of character, but those sculptural ruffles give it a cool, very of-the-moment edge, it looks like it would have real gravitas in motion, and the hint of leg stops it looking stuffy in any way. My only quibble would be her hair - I wish it were swept over the other side to let that shoulder detail do its full magic, but I’m nitpicking. This is, on the whole, glorious. Photo: Getty
THE GOOD: In an ideal world the underboob cutout wouldn’t exist, but it’s not enough to stop me thoroughly enjoying this vibrant J. Mendel on Naomie Harris. (And I’m possibly just hairsplitting out of jealousy - thanks to gravity, my cruel mistress, I’d have some stuff hanging out that keyhole that shouldn’t be). It’s peppy yet poised and just straight-up fun, particularly thanks to the flirty pleats and spot-on mix of matchy yet clashy. There’s a lot going on, sure, but Harris’ pared-back hair and makeup and general boss-lady vibes stop the battle of red vs blue overshadowing her. Photo: Getty
THE GOOD: I’m fully prepared for this to be a divisive ‘good’, but I think Sonam Kapoor looks all kinds of elegant in this Ralph & Russo coat-dress. It’s super theatrical, but she’s totally owning it in a so-chic-it-almost-hurts way. Sure, if Liberace was asked to design a straitjacket this could resemble the outcome, but that’s what I love about it. With that intricate embroidery, waterfall hem and oversized bow, it’s giving off 21st-century The King and I vibes - how effing regal does she look on that front row? Photo: Getty
THE GOOD: Ralph & Russo also decked out supermodel Jourdan Dunn in this Chanel-esque strapless number. Black and white is nearly always classy and this is no exception, but the clashing embellishments keep it looking exciting. The almost coral-like encrusted skirt is especially artisanal - this is clearly a dress that has many hours of manpower behind it. While a red lip or slicker hair could have worked well, kudos to Dunn for keeping it simple and letting the frock take centre stage. Photo: Getty
THE UNDECIDED: How do we feel about this Rodarte on Alicia Vikander? I’m torn. On one hand, the Little House on the Prairie-style bib is a refreshingly demure change from the black mesh that normally dominates your average premiere nowadays. The way the ruffles spiral around her legs to the floor is rather hypnotic, and the burnt orange hue sets off her olive skin a treat. On the other hand, it appears to be decorated with the ejaculate of Jackson Pollock, and once you’ve realised that, it’s impossible to unsee. Photo: Getty
THE BAD: Here Stella McCartney gives a definitive lesson in how you can be so, so, so close, only to be let down by a bit of bad tailoring (and the problem with being the designer of said maternity-dress-in-reverse is you only really have yourself to blame). I'm feeling the sheeny jacquard, her hair is glorious - the colour in particular - and I'm enjoying how not-overdone the whole effect is. However that voluminous back, which gives McCartney the rounded silhouette of a woodlouse, makes her looked as if she's just scuttled off to a London movie premiere like the Hunchback of Notting Hill. When even Patsy openly LOLs at your dress like that, you know you’ve made an error in judgement. Photo: Getty
THE BAD: Versace may have given Jennifer Garner a stunner a few slides back, but it looks like material was thin on the ground by the time they got around to It-Girl Elena Perminova's suit. Either that or they've got a seamstress on their team armed with all-you-can-eat licorice and the dexterity of Dr Frankenstein. Photo: Getty
THE BAD: Option A. British model Abbey Clancy (and cut-price Lisbeth Salander impersonator) totally spaced on her invite to the Ab Fab premiere. Thanks to her forgetfulness, she had nothing clean in the house bar her hubby's BBQ apron - you know, the kind that looks like a French maid, all shiny latex and fake cleavage, and er, dominatrix accessories. Unfortunately the back of it got stuck in said motorcycle en route, hence that tattered scrap of a hemline, but she's gamely styling it out. Option B. None of the above happened, in which case that belt should instead read Girl In A Trainwreck, and we'll leave it at that. Photo: Getty
THE BAD: British TV personality Lizzie Cundy demonstrates here that even that spangliest of your nana's net curtains cannot make a basic black bikini red-carpet appropriate. This X-rated Miss Havisham 'dress' is by a brand called CC Couture - which I imagine stands for Certainly Combustible - and the whole look would be improved by losing the dress altogether. When your undies are the best thing about your outfit (but yet they're your lounging-around kecks), you know it's time to rethink your decision. Photo: Getty